Why use Intermittent Fasting?
Is it really better?
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. Numerous studies show that it can have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Putting the body into a fasting state for short periods of time can potentially boost the metabolism, kickstart healthy weight loss, and improve energy and mood.
Intermittent fasting has many great benefits such as:
- Reduces insulin resistance, lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes
- Can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body
- Induces various cellular repair processes
- Helps you lose weight and belly fat
- Associated with cancer prevention, anti-aging, and improving brain health
It is mostly known for its success in the loss of fat. To understand how intermittent fasting leads to fat loss, it is important to understand the difference between the fed state and the fasted state.
Your body is in the fed state when it is digesting and absorbing food.
Typically, the fed state starts when you begin eating and lasts for three to five hours as your body digests and absorbs the food you just ate. When you are in the fed state, it's harder for your body to burn fat because your insulin levels are higher.
After that timespan, your body goes into what is known as the post–absorptive state, which is just a fancy way of saying that your body isn’t processing a meal. The post–absorptive state lasts until 8 to 12 hours after your last meal, which is when you enter the fasted state. It is much easier for your body to burn fat in the fasted state because your insulin levels are low.
When you're in the fasted state your body can burn fat that has been inaccessible during the fed state.
There are many different types and ways of intermittent fasting. At Betr Health, we focus on extending your nighttime fast (while sleeping) into the morning by having you wait 2-3 hours after you wake up before having your first food. This will help with the fat-burning process throughout the program.
Your coach can help you customize your eating schedule if you are exercising or finding you need to eat earlier in the day due to hunger/medication needs. If your primary care provider has set eating parameters for you, always go with their instructions as intermittent fasting is not an option for everyone. It is important to remember, when you feel hungry, always be sure to eat! Betr is about nourishment, not punishment!
